Top 20 selling beers of 2012

The St. Louis-based brewer — owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev NV — accounts for half of the best-selling beers in the U.S., including the No. 1 spot, according to new data from SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago-based market research firm.

Pete Hilgeman, owner of The Dayton Beer Co., the first Dayton-based brewery to open its doors in more than 50 years, and currently the only local brewery in operation, said he thinks breweries in Dayton will have a tremendous positive impact.

"I think they definitely bring excitement, pride, uniqueness and tourism to a city," said Hilgeman, who opened his Kettering location in May. "All are much needed characteristics for attracting young people to live and play in Dayton."

Beer and other alcoholic beverages also are becoming a competitive differentiator for restaurants, as many consumers say a restaurants’ offerings play a big part in their decision of where to dine.

"It's based on the things we look for in comfort — comfort food, comfort drink, comfort environment," said Bill Castro, an owner of El Meson restaurant in West Carrollton.

Restaurants that didn’t offer alcohol before are jumping into the game to keep up, and the trend is spilling into other entertainment venues, such as cinemas, including Rave Cinemas' The Greene 14, which has started serving beer to attract a larger audience.